Locomotive equalizer



Dec.9, 1924. 1518,2223

W. W. SLOANE 'LOCOMOTIVE EQUALIZER Filed Dec. 7. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 1924. 1,518,228

w. w. SLOANE LOCQMOTIVE EQUALI'ZER Fil d Dec. 7, 1923 2 SheetsSheet 2 Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LOCOMOTIVE EQUALIZER.

Application filed December 7, 1923. Serial No. 679,100.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WVILLIAM IV. SLOANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of-Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Loco-motive Equalizers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in locomotives or trucks and has for its principal object to provide an improved con struction affording relative flexibility of .the supporting wheels and axle so as to readily follow uneven track.

More particularly the present invention relates to improvements in torsion type of equalizing devices, as disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,454,139, issued May 8, 1923.

In the prior patent referred to the equalizing device is used in connection with a single axle in which" opposite ends of said axle are each connected to a longitudinally disposed bar pivotally mounted on the frame and movable ina vertical plane, the free ends" of such bar being connected through links and levers to a torsion bar extendin transversely of the frame and pivoted t iereon.

In the present invention I provide an improved construction wherein the use of connecting links between the torsion member levers and the axle supporting members are eliminated and the construction and arrangement of said levers is simplified and made uniform on opposite sides of the frame.

The invention consists of the combination,

construction and arrangement of the parts as will hereinafter be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a locomotive showing one of the axles thereof provided with an equalizing device portions of the supporting wheel and one side of the frame broken away to show the construction and arrangement of the equalizing device.

In the drawings one embodiment of my invention is illustrated as applied to a twoaxle locomotive frame 1 having side plates 2, 2, axles 3- and 3 and supporting wheels 4, 4. As will hereinafter more particularly be described, the equalizing device is applied to but one of the axles, such-as the axle 3. The other axle 3 is mounted in the usual manner. Referring now to axle 3,150 which the equalizing device is applied, suitable journal boxes 5, 5 are mounted adjacent opposlte ends of said axle and are movable vertically between oppositely disposed guide plates 6, 6 in a slot 7 which may be of any suitable construction. The equalizing device comprises a pair of longitudinally disposed supporting-bars or levers 8 and 9, pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the locomotive frame on pivotal journals 8 and 9 respectively. In the form shown the supporting bars 8 and 9 are uniform in length but extend forwardly and rearwardly of the axle 3, respectively. Springs 10, 10, which may be of the usual helical type, or its equivalent, are interposed between each of the axle boxes 5, 5 and the stirrups 8 and said torsion member, as for instance at the end ilClJiLGGllt the supporting bar 8, a crank arm 12 is provided whlch extends 1n a longitudinal direction and is provided with a bearing surface 12 which engages the upwardly disposed bearing surface 8 of the supporting bar 8. A similar crank arm 14 is rigidly mounted on the opposite end of the torsion member and has a bearing surface 14 engaging the upwardly disposed face 9 of the supporting bar 9. It will be observed that the pivotal movement of the crank arms 12 and 14 in either direction is compensated for by the similar opposite movement of the supporting bars 8 and 9, the bearing surfaces 12* and 14 having lonmitting vertical movement of said journal "40 will cause rotation of the torsion member- 11 and a corresponding movement of the arm 9 in the opposite direction. Any vertical displacement in one end of the axle will therefore tend to cause a corresponding displacement of the opposite end of the axle in the reversedirection, although the advantage of spring action intermediate the axle and its support is afforded by means of the springs 10, 10 in the usual manner. It, will thus beseen that when the locomotive is traveling over uneven track the axle is free to swing a limited distance in a transverse plane irrespective of the resiliency of the springs.

Although I have shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied it will be understood that the arrangement and construction of the various parts may be altered without departing from the scope and spirit of my invention.

.1 do not, therefore wish to be understood as limiting myself to the specific construction herein disclosed, except as limited in the appended claims.

'I'claim as my invention:

1. In a car, a frame, an axle movable in a substantially vertical planevvith respect to said frame, journal boxes adjacent the ends of saidaxle, guide meanson said frame perboxes, an equalizing device comprising a pair of longitudinally disposed levers of equal length, pivotally mounted adjacent opposite ends 'of said axle in supporting engagement therewith, and means operatively connecting said levers including a transversely disposed torsion member pivotally mounted on said frame. A

' comprising a pair of longitudinally disposed levers mounted adjacent opposite ends of said axle, a torsion member, and a pair of coacting crank arms mounted at opposite ends of said torsion member, one of said crank arms having sliding engagement with one of said levers and the oppositely disposed crank arms having sliding engage ment with the other of said levers.

3. In a car, a frame, two laterally spaced axles movable in substantial vertical planes with respect to said frame, journal boxes adjacent the ends of said axles, guide means on said frame permitting vertical move ment of said journal boxes, an equalizing (lGXlCG comprising a pair of longitudiimlly disposed lovers of equal length pivotally mounted adjacent opposite ends of one of said axles in supporting engagement therewith, a torsion member, tension means for said journal boxes mounted intermediate each of said levers, and a pair of coacting oppositely disposed crank arms mounted at opposite ends of said torsion member having sliding engagement respectively with said levers.

4. In a car, a frame, two laterally spaced axles movable in substantial vertical planes with respect to said frame, journal boxes adjacent the ends of said axles, guide means on said frame permitting vertical movement of said journal boxes, an equalizing device comprising a pair of oppositely and longitudinally disposed levers each having an upturned bearing face at its free end and pivotally mounted adjacent opposite ends of one of said axles in supporting engagement therewith, a torsion member, tension means for SitlCl ournal boxes mounted intermediate each of said levers, and a pair of oppositely disposed coacting crank arms mounted at opposite ends of said torsion member, the end of one of said crank arms having bearing engagement with the face of one of said levers and the oppositely disposed end of the other arm having bearing engagement with the other of said faces.

Signed at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 3rd day of Docember, A. D. 1923.

WILLIAM 'W. snoaun. 

